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Gardener State: Season of greens in Jersey

Nicholas Polanin, Correspondent
Published 12:00 a.m. ET May 16, 2018

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What's happening and what you need to know in Central Jersey.
STAFF VIDEO BY JOE MARTINO

Eric Hensel (left), of Hensel Farms in Atlantic County, and Doug Fisher, secretary of NJ Department of Agriculture, inspecting a field of Romaine Lettuce in Atlantic County. Hensel Farms expects to begin harvesting romaine lettuce within the next few days.(Photo11: ~Courtesy of NJ Department of Agriculture)

The Jerome Dunn Academy and George Washington Academy, both in Elizabeth, were recently presented with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) VIP Award by representatives of the New Jersey and U.S. Departments of Agriculture.

The award program highlights schools in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that are doing an exceptional job at promoting fruits and vegetables and healthy lifestyles to their students. Jerome Dunn Academy and George Washington Academy, which are in the same building and share the same FFVP, were selected for the first-place prize for providing a comprehensive program integrating the entire school community in program and wellness activities.

“The FFVP can be transformative not only to the students who are consuming more fresh produce, but also to the school environment itself,” said Doug Fisher, secretary of NJ Department of Agriculture. “Schools treat the FFVP as an educational opportunity when all students get to enjoy a healthy snack together, learn about fruits and vegetables, and celebrate the farmers who grow them. We congratulate the Jerome Dunn and George Washington Academies for their exemplary efforts.”

The two academies offer the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a Federally-funded initiative that provides grants to schools to provide fresh produce as snacks to students in schools where 50 percent or more of the students receive free or reduced-price meals.

“Our students love the program and they look forward to each serving day and what will be served,” said physical education teacher and the academies’ FFVP Coordinator Lacey McConkey. “This has been such a great opportunity for our students. They see me in the hallways or in my office and want to talk about fruits and vegetables.”

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Community Options to Open New Day Program in Old Bridge. In the back row left to right, Matt Mercurio, Director of Parks, Recreation and Social Services, Township of Old Bridge, Owen Henry, Mayor, Township of Old Bridge, SueAnn Palmero, Program Manager, Community Options, Andrew Park, Managing Director of Marketing,Community Options. Sitting left to right Nicolas Grant, Program Participant and Old Bridge Resident and Barbara Grant. ~Courtesy of Township of Old Bridge

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (left) and Bruce H. Bergen congratulate Christine Marti-Millward, 15, of Linden on winning the Art Education Award at 17th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. They were joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (right). ~Courtesy of Jim Lowney/County of Union

Joelle Piercy of Safe+Sound Somerset accepts a ceremonial check from the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women. Commission members pictured with her (left to right), are Vaseem Firdaus, Marti Kalko, Beverly Briggs-Lawson, Chair Janice Fields, Smriti Agrawal, Stella Ayala and Aparna Virman. ~Courtesy of Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders

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Fisher presented the school with a trophy. The school will also be able to choose a salad bar, nutrition education resources, or a piece of equipment to aid in delivery of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

The department awarded more than $4 million in grants to 155 schools in 14 counties serving 75,029 students through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2017-2018 school year. The program provides students with fresh produce as snacks during the school day to teach them about proper nutrition and increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Additional funding was given to schools that purchase produce from New Jersey farmers for the program.

Lettuce enjoy Jersey Fresh

Fisher reminded us that that local farmers are beginning to harvest Jersey Fresh romaine lettuce and that it will be in community farmers markets and supermarkets within the next week. Romaine lettuce is among the early season Jersey Fresh crops.

Fisher made a visit to Hensel Farms in Atlantic County last week to check out their romaine lettuce crop.

“New Jersey farmers like the Hensel Farms in Atlantic County take great care and pride in all of the fruits and vegetables they produce,” he said. “Romaine lettuce is a wonderful and tasty addition to any number of salads and recipes.”

Other early crops for New Jersey include asparagus, spinach, kale, radishes and beets with strawberries expected in mid to late May. For regular updates on the availability of Jersey Fresh farm products, consult the Department’s weekly “Jersey Fresh Availability and Forecast Report” published on Monday afternoons throughout the growing season. The weekly report can be accessed at jerseyfresh.nj.gov/find/JFAvailReport.pdf.

New Jersey’s principal vegetable harvest was valued at $156 million in 2017, up by more than $6.5 million from 2016. More than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown in New Jersey.

“As the temperatures begin to warm and different types of Jersey Fresh produce become available, we encourage consumers to support their local growers in the Garden State,” Fisher said. “Our farmers continue the tradition of providing the excellent quality and variety of fruits and vegetables throughout this growing season. Remember to look for Jersey Fresh.”